AKB48 (pronounced A.K.B. Forty-eight) is a Japanese idolgirl group named after the Akihabara (Akiba for short) area in Tokyo, where the group's theater is located, and its original roster of 48 members. As of December 2015[update], the group has expanded to include more than 130 members[4] aged from their early teens to their mid-20s.[5][6] AKB48's producer, Yasushi Akimoto, wanted to form a girl group with its own theater (unlike pop groups performing occasional concerts and seen on television) and performing daily so fans could always see them live.[7] This "idols you can meet" concept includes teams[8] which can rotate performances and perform simultaneously at several events[9] and "handshake" events, where fans can meet group members.[7] Akimoto has expanded the AKB48 concept to several sister groups in Japan, China and Indonesia.

The group is one of the highest-earning musical performers in Japan, with 2013 sales of over $128 million,[10][11] and has been characterized as a social phenomenon.[12] As of December 2015[update] the group has sold over 41 million records, including over 36 million singles[13] and over 5 millon albums.[14] AKB48 is the highest selling musical act in Japan in terms of singles sold[13] and the highest by a girl group.[15] AKB48's twenty-nine latest singles have topped the OriconWeekly Singles Chart, with a record twenty-three singles selling over a million copies; their highest selling single, "Sayonara Crawl", sold over 1.95 million in 2013.[16][17] In 2010 "Beginner" and "Heavy Rotation" placed first and second, respectively, on the list of Japan's best-selling singles for the year.[18] In all consecutive years since then, AKB48's singles have occupied the top four or five spots of the Oricon Yearly Singles Chart.[19][20][21][22][23]

Concept

AKB48 Theater in Akihabara, Tokyo

AKB48 was founded as "idols you can meet".[8] The group's chief producer, Yasushi Akimoto, said that his goal was to create a unique idol group which, unlike other idol groups which perform occasional concerts and appear primarily on television, would perform regularly in its own theater.[8][24][note 1] The AKB48 Theater is in the Don Quijote store in Akihabara, Tokyo.[7]

The group is split into several teams, reducing its members' workload (since the theater's near-daily performance is by only one team) and enabling AKB48 to perform simultaneously in several places.[9] According to member Misaki Iwasa, each team has its own theme. Team A represents freedom; Team B is idol-like, with cute costumes, and Team K has a strong, powerful image.[25] According to an early press release the group was intended to have 16 members on each of three teams, for a total membership of 48;[8][26][27][28] but its membership actually varied over time,[11] and is now consistently exceeding 120 persons.[4] New members are called trainees (研究生,kenkyūsei?) who are understudies for the group,[note 2] performing occasionally in the theater as a team. In addition to their performances with the group, members are promoted by the Japanese mass media.[7] AKB48 regularly hosts events, where fans can interact with the members, such as taking pictures or shaking hands with the members.[7]

The group members' ages range from their early teens to over 20,[5][6] and they are selected from regular auditions.[7][11] Members are not allowed to date, and must be well-behaved;[29] any violation of these restrictions used to be punished,[30] possibly by expulsion from the group.[31] AKB48 has a system that allows members to "graduate" from the group when they are older and are replaced by trainees who are promoted. Monica Hesse of The Washington Post described the AKB48 audition process as "rolling American Idol-esque".[11]

History

2005–2006: Creation and independent releases

In July 2005, Yasushi Akimoto held an audition for a new theater-based idol girl group.[32] Of the 7,924 who auditioned, 24 were chosen as first-generation group members.[32] On December 8, 20 members debuted as Team A in the AKB48 Theater[33] performing PARTY ga Hajimaru yo(PARTYが始まるよ?)[34] to an audience of seven; attendance quickly increased.[35][36] In January 2006, AKB48 cafe waitress Mariko Shinoda joined Team A as a "1.5 generation" member when her popularity with patrons prompted Akimoto to give her a special audition.[37][38]

The group's second audition was held in cooperation with telecommunications company NTT DoCoMo in February 2006, with applicants submitting audition videos on mobile phones.[39][40]

AKB48 preparing for its debut on March 26, 2006

Of 11,892 applicants 19 were selected, and 18 joined AKB48 as Team K in April.[41] Team K performed Party ga Hajimaru yo and Team A moved to a new stage program, Aitakatta.[42]

AKB48 released its first independent-label single, "Sakura no Hanabiratachi", in February 2006. It entered Oricon's weekly Top 10 chart, with first-week sales of 22,011 (a rarity for an indie-label group).[43] On March 31, Yuki Usami became the first member to "graduate" from the group.[44] On June 7 AKB48 released its second independent single, "Skirt, Hirari",[45] which sold 13,349 copies on its first day.[46] The group made its first television appearance two days later,[41] and signed a contract with DefStar Records (a subsidiary of Sony Music Entertainment) in August.[47]

2006–2007: Set List: Greatest Songs 2006–2007

In October 2006 AKB48 announced auditions for Team B,[48] and 13 girls were chosen out of 12,828 applicants in December.[49] The group's first DefStar Records single, "Aitakatta", was recorded by 20 members of Teams A and K and released on October 25.[50] It debuted at number 12 on the Oricon weekly singles chart, selling 25,544 copies in its first six weeks,[51] and remained on the chart for a total of 65 weeks.[52] On November 3–4 AKB48 performed its first concert, "AKB48 First Concert: Aitakatta ~Hashira wa Nai ze!~" at Nippon Seinenkan in Shinjuku.[41] The group performed "Aitakatta" on the New Year's Eve TV program 58th NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen as a part of the "Nihon ga Hokoru Saisentan! Special Medley".[41][53] At 43 members, the group set a program record for the most people in one group onstage simultaneously.[41] AKB48 made its first lineup change in December, transferring Kazumi Urano, Shiho Watanabe and Natsumi Hirajima from Team A to Team B as supporting members.[41]

AKB48's second major-label single, "Seifuku ga Jama o Suru", was released on January 31, 2007[54] and debuted at number seven on the Oricon Top 10 chart.[55] Its music video and lyrics hinted at the subject of enjo kōsai (compensated dating, remotely related to escort services outside Japan), triggering controversy and negative reviews.[56] On March 18 AKB48 released "Keibetsu Shiteita Aijō"; debuting at number eight on the Oricon chart, it dropped to number 98 in its second week.[54] The group's second concert, "AKB48 Haru no Chotto dake Zenkoku Tour ~Madamada daze AKB48!~" on March 10,[57] had poor ticket sales.[58]

In April 2007 AKB48 posted its Team B roster on its website, with five fewer members than originally announced;[41] for the first time, its membership numbered 48. The group's fourth single, "Bingo!", was released on July 18.[59] AKB48's sixth single, "Yūhi o Miteiru ka?", was released on Halloween 2007 and sold 18,429 copies[60] (the least of all the group's singles).[58]

2008–2010: Kamikyokutachi

AKB48 live at Japan Expo 2009 (Paris)

On New Year's Day 2008 AKB48 released its first album, Set List: Greatest Songs 2006–2007, a collection of the group's singles and live song lists. The group's seventh major-label single (its ninth overall), "Romance, Irane", was released on January 23[61] and reached number six on the Oricon Top 10 chart in its first week.[62]

On February 27 the group released its eighth major-label single, "Sakura no Hanabiratachi 2008", a reprise of its Team A debut single. This version featured ten members from Team A, six from Team K and five from Team B.[63] The single's CD included a poster, and a promotion was planned in which fans who collected all 44 posters would be invited to a special event. The promotion was later canceled by DefStar Records amid concerns about possible violations of antitrust laws.[64]

On October 22 AKB48's tenth single, "Ōgoe Diamond", was released on King Records' You Be Cool label.[69] With 11-year-old SKE48 member Jurina Matsui the single's center and cover girl, it was the first single featuring a member of AKB48's sister group[70] and debuted at number three on the Oricon Top 10 weekly chart.[71]

The group released its 11th major-label single, "10nen Sakura", on March 4, 2009. Also reaching number three on the Oricon charts in its first week, it was the group's first single to sell over 100,000 copies.[72] The group's 12th major-label single, "Namida Surprise!", was released on June 24. Promotions included a handshaking-event ticket and a ballot for a member to headline its next single.[73] "Namida Surprise!" sold 104,180 copies in its first week on the Oricon charts.[74] AKB48's 13th single, "Iiwake Maybe", was released on August 26.[75] Outselling rival SMAP's single, it reached number one on the Oricon Daily Singles Chart[76] and number two on the Oricon Weekly Singles Chart.[77]

AKB48 at Japan Expo in Paris, 2009

AKB48's Team A, was guest of honor at the Japan Expo in Paris from July 2–5, 2009, performing an English version of "Ōgoe Diamond".[78] The group made its U.S. debut with a show at Webster Hall in New York City on September 27.[79]

AKB48 released its 15th major-label single, "Sakura no Shiori", on February 17, 2010. In its first week the single topped the Oricon chart with over 300,000 copies sold, the most by a Japanese female artist in seven years.[82] This was the group's last single until the release of their first King Records album, Kamikyokutachi, which would top the Oricon album chart[83][84] and be certified double platinum by the RIAJ for sales of over 500,000 copies.[85]

2010–2011: Koko ni Ita Koto

AKB48's 16th single, "Ponytail to Chouchou", was released on May 26, 2010. Its sales exceeded those of the previous single, with over 400,000 copies sold on its first day and over 513,000 in its first week.[86] On April 27 Anime Expo, the largest anime convention in the United States, announced that AKB48 would be a guest of honor and the group performed on July 1 at the Nokia Theatre.[87]

AKB48 on Cool Japan Night, as part of the November 2010 Anime Festival Asia X in Singapore

In November 2010, AKB48 participated in several events outside Japan. On November 20, 12 members of the group performed at the Japanese Pop Culture Festival in Moscow.[91] AKB48 performed at the Cool Japan forum in Singapore as part of Anime Festival Asia X, and at the Singapore Toy, Games and Comics Convention.[92][93] Group graduates in 2010 included second-generation member Erena Ono, who left on September 27 to pursue an acting career overseas.[94][95]

The group's first 2011 single, "Sakura no Ki ni Narō", was released on February 16. It sold 655,000 copies on its first day, surpassing "Beginner's" first-day sales of 568,000.[96] By the end of its first week the single sold 942,479 copies, the group's best and the fastest sales in Japan since 2000.[97]

On February 21 AKB48 announced its third album, Koko ni Ita Koto(ここにいたこと?), which would include 11 new tracks and was scheduled for an April 6 release.[98] Due to the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami, the group stopped its AKB48 Theater performances and canceled some of its public events.[note 3] AKB48 began the "Dareka no Tame ni" (誰かのために,lit. "For someone's sake"?) project, collecting donations for earthquake and tsunami relief. One of its concert venues, the Yokohama Arena, was used for a two-day charity event beginning on March 26 and 12 AKB48 members attended the Okinawa International Movie Festival that day for the same purpose. On March 15, AKB48 announced that ¥500 million would be donated by the group, its sister groups SKE48, SDN48 and NMB48 and associates of AKS, its management company.[99]Koko ni Ita Koto's release was postponed until June 8, with part of the album's proceeds donated to disaster victims.[100] On April 1 the group released the charity single "Dareka no Tame ni (What can I do for someone?)" (誰かのために -What can I do for someone?-?) on the Recochoku website as a digital download, with all proceeds earmarked for earthquake and tsunami relief.[101]

2011–2012: 1830m

AKB48 shop in Singapore, 2011

On May 1 AKB48 announced a new sister group: HKT48, based in Fukuoka, Kyushu, with its theater in the Hawks Town Mall of Fukuoka’s Chuo ward.[102] On May 3, The Straits Times reported the opening of AKB48's first overseas theater in Singapore.[103] The theater, in *scape Youth Park, would host 16 members from AKB48 and its sister groups for two shows a day two days a month.[103] It had an adjacent AKB48 shop for merchandise and an AKB48 Cafe, serving Japanese fusion cuisine and desserts.[103]

AKB48 released its 21st major-label single, "Everyday, Kachūsha", on May 25. An "election single", it contained ballots for determining who would headline the group's next single[100][104] and set Japanese records for first-day (942,475 copies)[104] and first-week sales (1,333,969 copies).[105] On June 22, Oricon reported that for the first half of 2011 AKB48 topped the album sales charts and had the best- and second-best-selling singles ("Everyday, Kachūsha" and "Sakura no Ki ni Narō"). The group amassed ¥6.66 billion in merchandise sales.[106]

On June 7, before its nationwide concert tour, AKB48 announced the creation of Team 4.[107] The 16-member team[107] would be captained by Mina Ōba,[108] and the word "team" was dropped from "Team Kenkyuusei" for the group's alternates. Four days later the group announced at a handshake event that Aimi Eguchi, who supposedly auditioned for NMB48, would join AKB48 as a trainee. It later became known that Eguchi was not a real person, but a composite of AKB48 members' facial features created to promote Glico's Ice no Mi.[109] On June 28, AKB48 producer Yasushi Akimoto announced plans to create another group as AKB48's "official rival". Nogizaka46(乃木坂46?) would debut with about 20 members, and Akimoto would join Sony Music Japan to produce the new group.[110]

AKB48 released its 22nd single, "Flying Get" (フライングゲット,Furaingugetto?), on August 24.[111] It sold 1,025,952 copies on its first day,[112] and became the group's fourth single to sell over a million copies (1.354 million) in its first week.[111] On September 20, AKB48 held its second rock-paper-scissors tournament to determine the lineup for the group's 24th single.[113][114] The group's 23rd single, "Kaze wa Fuiteiru", was released on October 26 and sold 1,045,937 copies on its first day.[115] The next single, "Ue kara Mariko" (released on December 7), sold 1.199 million copies in its first week.[116]

At the end of 2011, AKB48 topped seven of 16 Oricon rankings:[19] total sales by an artist, copies sold for a single, total sales for a single, total sales by an artist (for singles), copies sold for a music Blu-ray disc, total sales for a music Blu-ray disc and total Blu-ray sales by an artist.[19] The group set records for the most million-selling singles in a year, best-selling single by a female group and highest-earning female group.[19] AKB48 won the Grand Prix in the 53rd Japan Record Awards for "Flying Get".[117]

Oricon announced on January 6, 2012 that AKB48 had sold 11,787,000 copies of its CD singles, surpassing girl group Morning Musume's Japanese record for a female group of 11,774,000.[15] On January 22 (the final day of its "AKB48 Request Hour Set List Best 100 2012" concert series at Tokyo Dome City Hall) AKB48 members performed the new "Give Me Five!" as Baby Blossom, playing guitars, keyboards, percussion and horns.[19][118] The Baby Blossom members had spent five months learning to play musical instruments, and some had little (or no) previous experience.[19][118] "Give Me Five!" was released on February 15.[19]

AKB48's second documentary film, Documentary of AKB48: Show Must Go On Shōjo-tachi wa Kizutsuki Nagara, Yume wo Miru, opened on January 27[119] in seventh place[120] at the box office and grossed nearly $4 million by February 19.[121] An anime series, AKB0048, was developed by Satelight[122] and aired from April 29 to July 22. It was directed by Yoshimasa Hiraike, with group producer Akimoto aiding with planning and supervision.[122] Nine members of AKB48 and its sister groups voiced the main characters, singing its opening and closing themes[123][124] as No Name.[125]

After photographs with their boyfriends surfaced, Natsumi Hirajima and Rumi Yonezawa resigned from the group[31] and were replaced by Jurina Matsui of SKE48 and Miyuki Watanabe of NMB48.[31][126] On March 24 AKB48 announced that five trainees would be promoted to Team 4, expanding its roster to 16.[126] It was also announced that the group would perform at the Tokyo Dome stadium, one of AKB48's main goals since it was founded.[127][128]

On March 25, longtime headliner Atsuko Maeda announced her graduation from the group.[129] AKB48 announced that Maeda would graduate after the Tokyo Dome concerts;[130] her final performance (and graduation ceremony) took place in the AKB48 theater on August 27,[131] and was streamed live on YouTube.[132]

On April 23 AKB48 announced the creation of its third overseas sister group, SNH48, based in Shanghai.[136] It was announced on June 17 that Rino Sashihara would be transferred to HKT48 in July as a "restart" because of an alleged scandal involving her ex-boyfriend.[137] On June 24 AKB48 announced the promotion of six trainees from the 10th and 11th generations[138] and its third rock-paper-scissors tournament (scheduled for September 18) to determine the lineup for the group's 29th single, "Eien Pressure".[138]

2012-2014: Tsugi no Ashiato

AKB48 at Tokyo in 2013

AKB48 recorded "Sugar Rush" for the 2012 Disney animated film, Wreck-It Ralph,[142] and the group set a Guinness World Record for the most pop singers in a video game (its dating simulation game, AKB1/149 Ren'ai Sōsenkyo).[143] It won a second consecutive Japan Record Award, for "Manatsu no Sounds Good!". The group was the number one artist by total sales revenue in Japan in 2012, with ¥19.098 billion.[144] The AKB0048 anime series was renewed for a second season, AKB0048 Next Stage, and aired from January 5 to March 30, 2013. In January 2013 AKB48 played its Request Hour Set List Best 100 concert at Tokyo Dome City Hall, announcing future shows at Nippon Budokan[145] and Nissan Stadium (the first show by a female artist at the latter).[146] On February 1, the film Documentary of AKB48: No Flower Without Rain: Shōjo Tachi wa Namida no Ato ni Nani o Miru?.[147] opened in tenth place at the box office,[148] and grossed $2.2 million by February 17.[149] During a meet-and-greet event for the film, first-generation member Tomomi Itano announced that she was leaving the group.[150] On April 28, after a Nippon Budokan concert, AKB48's general manager announced another reorganization of the teams (including the girls who were also members of its sister groups).[151] Nito Moeno and Tomomi Kasai also made their final appearances with the group.[not in citation given]

AKB48 released its 31st single, "Sayonara Crawl" (an election single), on May 22.[152] It sold more than 1.9 million copies in its first month,[153] breaking Speed's White Love 1997 record for the highest single sales by a female group.[154] The election candidates were 246 girls from AKB48, its sister groups and former members.[155] On June 8 the results were broadcast on Fuji TV and streamed live on YouTube, the latter with Japanese and English commentary.[156][157] The winner was HKT48 member Rino Sashihara, a former member of AKB48.[155][158] During the event, Team A captain Mariko Shinoda (who placed fifth) announced that she would leave the group in July.[159] On July 31, during AKB48's summer concert series at the Sapporo Dome, guest and former group headliner Atsuko Maeda sang her new solo single ("Time Machine Nante Iranai").[160]

On August 21 the group released its 32nd single, "Koisuru Fortune Cookie". Its music video had 3,800 extras,[161] the most for any AKB48- and sister group-related video.[162] On August 24 the group announced the restoration of Team 4, with Minami Minegishi as captain and members promoted from the 13th and 14th generation of trainees.[163]

AKB48 announced plans for a fifth team, Team 8, with one member from each of Japan's 47 prefectures.[174] On February 24, during the group's Grand Reformation Festival event at Zepp DiverCity Tokyo, the group announced a team reorganization. This included a captain and co-captain of each team, promotion of AKB48 trainees to regular membership (with assignment to the four teams) and the transfer of members between AKB48 and its sister groups.[175] On April 3 AKB48 introduced its 47-member Team 8[176] as "the idols who come to you".[176][note 4] Akimoto announced auditions for an Otona adult member over 30 years old,[177] to participate in events and be the centerpiece of a Glico Papico commercial. On April 16, AKB48 announced the Otona member: Mariko Tsukamoto, a 37-year-old housewife and mother of two.[178]

On May 21 the group released its 36th single, "Labrador Retriever", which sold over 1,462,000 copies on its first day.[179]

On June 7, AKB48 and its related groups announced the results of the annual election to determine the lineup for its 37th single. The winner was Mayu Watanabe with 159,854 votes, and Rino Sashihara was runner-up with 141,954 votes. The top eighty candidates were ranked in five groups of sixteen.[180]

In August, AKB48 announced the Baito AKB project, which allows girls to join AKB48 part-time using the job search site Baitoru.[181] 13,246 girls applied for Baito AKB, and after several screening rounds, 53 girls were selected to sign a five-month contract with a possible three-month extension in February.[182][183][184] After the end of the project, 11 of the former Baito AKB members entered the yearly Draft Kaigi event aiming to become full members,[185] while others expressed their desire to take part in the auditions for the newly planned NGT48 group.[186]

On December 8, long-time member and general manager Minami Takahashi announced she will leave the group in December 2015 for the group's tenth anniversary.[187][188] She recommended that Team K captain Yui Yokoyama be her successor.[189][190]

The group ranked second overall in Oricon's Artist Total Sales Revenue for the 2014 year, with ¥13.075 billion.[191]

Assault at handshake event

At a May 25, 2014 handshake event at the Iwate Industry Culture and Convention Center in Takizawa, Iwate, group members Rina Kawaei, Anna Iriyama and a staff member were attacked by a 24-year-old man with a handsaw. The suspect was arrested for attempted murder,[note 5] and the three were treated at a hospital for fractures and cuts.[192][193][194][195][196] AKB48 canceled its theater performances through the end of May,[197] and handshake and photo-shoot fan events in May and June were postponed.[198] In response to security concerns,[199] the Manseibashi Police Station of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department asked AKS to conduct security checks of audience members at the theater entrance.[197] Although sister groups SKE48, NMB48 and HKT48 did not suspend their theater performances, they introduced security measures: metal detectors, not using the theaters' front rows, suspending post-performance "high-five" events and increasing the number of security guards.[200] On May 30 AKB48 resumed its television appearances,[201] and on June 2 the group resumed theater performances with security measures similar to those of its sister groups.[202] Security and bag checks were added at the general-election-results event and Yuko Oshima's graduation concert.[203][204]

2015-present: 0 to 1 no Aida

On January 21, 2015, the group released its sixth studio album, Koko ga Rhodes da, Koko de Tobe!.[205] On March 4, the group released the single "Green Flash".[206][207] The group became the first group who sold their 20 consecutive singles in 1 million on the first week. On March 26, member Rina Kawaei announced her graduation from the group in order to continue her acting career on her own,[208] stating that the previous incident and long period of rest brough her to reflect on her future without depending on the group.[209]

On May 10, AKB48 was invited to the annual Japan Day festival in New York, their second performance in the city since 2009.[210] A small away team consisting of members Rina Hirata, Ryoka Oshima, Haruna Kojima, Tomu Mutou, Saho Iwatate and Rina Nozawa performed a total of five songs cheered by a crowd of 5000 attendants.[211][212][213]

June 6 saw the announcement of the seventh general election results. The event was broadcast live from Fukuoka Dome on Fuji TV, which reported an average viewer rating of 18.8% with a peak of 23.4%.[215] A record 3.2 million votes were cast,[216] with Rino Sashihara winning the poll for the second time with a record 194,049 votes.[217][218]

On October 25, 2015, during the handshake and autograph event at Pacific Yokohama had announced the details of AKB48's 42nd Single and Request Hour 2016. The 42nd Single will be released on December 9, 2015. Minami Takahashi will be the Center which will be her final appearance on an AKB48 single.[219]

On November 18, the group released its 7th album, 0 to 1 no Aida. This album marks the 10th anniversary of Japanese group, founded in 2005.

The group's 42nd single Kuchibiru ni Be My Baby sold 813,044 copies on its first day of release. This brought their combined single sales to over 36,158,000 single albums sold, making them the artist with the highest number of single album sales in Japan, surpassing rock group B'z[220]

Musical style

The group's style has been characterized as "bubblegum pop and synchronised dancing", appealing to prepubescent girls and older males who purchase the group's merchandise.[221] Mari Yamaguchi of the Associated Press wrote that the "performances can seem orchestrated. As the girls sing and dance in unison, fans follow a cheering formula", comparing fan response to a Kabuki audience.[222] Monica Hesse of The Washington Post described the group's style: "It is as if Miley Cyrus, Taylor Swift and the entire cast of Twilight were placed into a saucepan and simmered on a low boil until nothing remained but the sweet, cloying essence of fame, and if that fame were then poured into pleated tartan skirts and given pigtails."[11]

Andrew Joyce and Kenneth Maxwell of The Wall Street Journal described the music as "sugar-sweet pop tunes and sometimes-suggestive lyrics". During AKB48 performances, "members perform a revue of simply choreographed routines in front of a roughly 95-percent-male audience. The music is typical Japanese pop: fast-paced numbers with high-pitched, singalong choruses."[223]

Promotion and media

AKB48 and its sister groups boost their record sales by a variety of marketing strategies. The singles and albums are released in different editions and types with alternate album-cover pictures, B-side tracks, video DVDs, collectible member pictures, event tickets and voting codes for several annual election contests.[224] Alan Swarts of MTV Japan has noted that collectors purchasing multiple copies of AKB48 CDs have inflated the market, and is one of the reasons Japan's music industry has been booming.[225]

Regular events

The group has publicized special events to choose the promotional and recording lineups for some of its singles.[226] In 2009, the concept of sōsenkyo(総選挙?, "general elections") was introduced.[24] To obtain a ballot, voters must purchase the group's latest "election single",[227] or, alternatively, through the group's mobile app products and fan club subscriptions.[228][229] Members who receive the most votes will participate in the recording of AKB48's next single[24] and are heavily promoted,[7] with the top vote-getter the centerpiece of the group's live performances.[226][227] Votes in the 2011 election exceeded one million, and the single "Everyday, Katyusha" (which contained a ballot for the election) set a Japanese record for weekly sales of a CD single.[230] The 2012 election had nearly 1.4 million votes,[226] the 2013 election increased to 2.6 million votes,[231] while the total vote count peaked at 3.2 million in 2015.[216] Fans have reportedly bought hundreds of copies of singles to vote for their favorite members.[223][227][232][233][234][235][236]

Another selection method, AKB48's rock-paper-scissors tournaments, was introduced in 2010 for the group's 19th single ("Chance no Junban").[237] Members of AKB48 and its sister groups compete in the knockout tournament to be part of the recording and promotional lineup for the group's next single,[238] with participants wearing a variety of costumes.[165] In 2014 the winner would debut as a soloist or, if she was already a soloist, would perform a solo concert.[239]

The Sousenkyo and the Janken tournament are only two of several regular events, the group has established. Fans can vote for their favourite songs, which are then performed during the annual rikuesuto awā((リクエストアワー?, Request Hour) concert. Request Hour concerts started already in 2008, and some sister groups now hold their own versions. Votes can be purchased in a similar way as for the member election event. At the end of each year since 2011, AKB48 performs its version of Kōhaku Uta Gassen, by splitting the group into a red and a white team, battling for the title of the best performing team. Other regular events include sport festivals and the AKB48 gurūpu dorawato kaigi(AKB48グループ ドラフト会議?, AKB48 group draft meeting), in which all teams from any of the sister groups chose new members from a pre-selected group of aspiring girls.[240][241]

Documentaries

Four AKB48 documentaries have been released in theaters since 2011. The first, Documentary of AKB48 -- To Be Continued, was released in Japan on January 22, 2011[242] and on DVD in North America on December 1.[243] The second, Documentary of AKB48: Show Must Go On Shōjo-tachi wa Kizutsuki Nagara, Yume wo Miru, was released on January 27, 2012[119] and earned $3,984,152 at the Japanese box office.[244] The third, Documentary of AKB48: No Flower Without Rain: Shōjo Tachi wa Namida no Ato ni Nani o Miru?, was released on February 2, 2013[245] and earned $2,269,118 at the Japanese box office.[246] The fourth, Documentary of AKB48 The Time has come Shōjo-tachi wa, Ima, Sono Senaka ni Nani wo Omou?, was released on July 4, 2014[247] and (as of July 13, 2014) grossed $984,757 at the Japanese box office.[248] Each film chronicled events and issues encountered by the group during the previous year.[120]

Manga and Anime

The manga AKB49: Ren'ai Kinshi Jōrei revolves around AKB48, featuring group members in the story as supporting characters.[249] The 2012 anime series AKB0048 is a science-fiction series based on the group, with production supervised by Yasushi Akimoto.[250] Nine characters in the anime are voiced by members of AKB48 and its sister groups.[250] First airing in Japan in the spring of 2012,[250] a second season was broadcast in 2013.[251]

Video games

Video games have been developed involving AKB48, and the group has its own visual novel-dating sim series. In the first installment, AKB1/48: Idol to Koishitara... (released December 23, 2010), the player engages in a relationship with one of the members. The second installment, AKB1/48: Idol to Guam de Koishitara... (released October 10, 2011, with a similar storyline) is set in Guam. The third installment, AKB1/149 Ren'ai Sōsenkyo (released December 20, 2012), expands the scenarios to AKB48 sister groups SKE48, NMB48 and HKT48. The three games were released for PlayStation Portable, with Ren'ai Sousenkyo also released for PlayStation Vita and PlayStation 3.[citation needed] In 2014 Namco Bandai developed Sailor Zombie: AKB48 Arcade Edition, as a tie-in for the television drama going by the same name, in which AKB48 members are also the main cast. In this arcade game, the player must use a light gun to shoot vaccine bullets at zombified AKB48 members. The game includes a rhythm game in which the zombie idols dance.[252] In April 2014, a rhythm game was released for Android and iOS, in which the players select their favourite line up and may compete in various community events.[253] In 2012, AKB48+Me was published for the Nintendo 3DS, which let the players try to become a member of AKB48.[254]

Reception

Tower Records Japan CEO Ikuo Minewaki described AKB48 as a popular act,[256] and the group has been characterized as a social phenomenon in Japan.[12] In 2012 AKB48 had record sales in Japan of over $226 million,.[257] Total sales of over $128 million were reported for 2013, and of over $96 million in 2015.[10][258] According to Oricon, as of January 6, 2012 AKB48 sold a total of 11,787,000 singles, setting a record for "the most singles sold in Japan by a female group".[15] The number of singles sold has increased to over 36 million since then,[13] making the group the highest single selling act in Japan.[13] The group's last 29 singles have topped the weekly Oricon Singles Chart. In 2010 "Beginner" and "Heavy Rotation" placed first and second, respectively, on the list of Japan's bestselling singles of the year;[18] In all consecutive years since then, AKB48's singles have occupied the top four or five spots of the Oricon Yearly Singles Chart.[19][20][21][23][259] As of December 2015[update], the group had sold over 40 million records.[13][14] However, AKB48's 42nd single Kuchibiru ni Be My Baby failed to sell more than one million copies in the first week after its release, ending a run of single releases achieving this feat, starting with Everyday, Katyusha in 2011.[260]

AKB48 holds several Guinness World Records, including being recognized on December 1, 2010 as the "largest pop group" when it numbered 48 members.[26][261] It set a record for "most number of same-product television endorsements within 24 hours" on February 28, 2012, after 90 group members appeared in 90 different commercials aired in the Kanto, Kansai and Tokai regions of Japan.[262] Japanese ambassador to the United States Ichirō Fujisaki, on meeting the group during its visit to Washington, D.C., said that "AKB" stood for "adorable, kind and beautiful".[11] On February 1, 2012, Japan Post issued a stamp commemorating the group.[263]

Controversy

AKB48 has been criticized for the perceived sexually-suggestive lyrics found in their song "Seifuku ga Jama o Suru". It addressed the issue of Enjo kōsai from a first person view, and was considered by some Western reporters unsuitable for its young members. When asked about this by CNN's Anna Coren, AKB48 founder Yasushi Akimoto (who writes the group's lyrics) said that his lyrics "depict[ed] reality" and were meant to prompt the consideration of difficult issues.[264][265] This song has fallen into disuse in the wake of the termination of the contract with Defstar Records (to which the copyright originally belonged) and the following media debut with King Records.[citation needed]

One of the group's risqué music videos have also been considered controversial. "Heavy Rotation"'s video was criticized by the same Western reporters for showing AKB48 members in lingerie, hugging,[221] kissing and sharing a bath. Its director, Mika Ninagawa, said that she wanted to appeal to men and women with a creative, fun video because of the group's increasing popularity among girls.[266] In an interview, she accepted responsibility for its content: "Mr. Akimoto left everything to me. He did not give me any tips at all ... I tried to show how AKB48 is in real life, in the video. In the dressing room, they seemed very close to each other. Then I came up with the concept [of a] girls' high school."[267]

A television commercial for Puccho candy which debuted on March 15, 2012 featured AKB48 members in schoolgirl uniforms passing a candy from mouth to mouth. The girls held the candy between their teeth, with some viewers called it "encouraging homosexuality", "unhygienic" and a "bad example to children".[221][268][269][270]

In January 2013, the group was criticized when a photo from Tomomi Kasai's Shukan Young Magazine photo shoot became public; Kasai was topless, her breasts covered by a young child's hands. The photo was pulled from the magazine and from Kasai's upcoming photo-book (where it would have appeared on the cover), and the magazine's publication was postponed from January 12 to January 21.[271][272][273]

In February 2013 group member Minami Minegishi, her head shaved, appeared in a YouTube video to apologize after it was reported by a tabloid that she had spent the night with a man in violation of her contract; she was demoted to the status of trainee. Her shaved head was seen as an overreaction, attracting criticism of how the situation was handled.[274]

Philanthropy

Several days after the March 11, 2011 earthquake and tsunami, the AKB48 blog reported a donation of more than ¥617 million to the Japanese Red Cross Society.[275] On April 1 the group released a digital charity single, "Dareka no Tame ni (What Can I Do for Someone?)", with its proceeds donated to earthquake and tsunami relief.[276] AKB48's 23rd single, "Kaze wa Fuiteiru", was dedicated to the 2011 tsunami victims; its lyrics were intended to console the disaster victims.[277][278] In February 2012 AKB48 announced another ¥580 million donation to the Japanese Red Cross, and it was reported that to date the group had raised a total of over ¥1.25 billion for earthquake and tsunami relief.[279] On March 8, 2013 the group released "Tenohira ga Kataru Koto", another song dedicated to the March 2011 disaster victims, on its website for free digital download.[280] On the second anniversary of the disaster AKB48 and its sister groups visited the affected areas, performing at schools and the AKB48, SKE48, NMB48 and HKT48 theaters with proceeds aiding the ongoing recovery.[281]

Members

AKB48's line up is subject to frequent changes due to departures, admissions, team rotations, and transfers between AKB48 and its various sister groups. As of December 25, 2015[update] the group consists of 131 members, divided among five teams: Team A with 22 members, Team K with 23 members, Team B with 21 members, Team 4 with 21 members, and Team 8 with 47 members, including three members who are part of two teams simultaneously.[4][24][note 2] Some members belong concurrently to AKB48's sister groups,[4] and Yui Yokoyama is the general manager of AKB48 and its sister groups.

Guinness World Record for Broadcasting the Most Same-Product Television Endorsements Within 24 Hours — In February 2012 AKB48 members appeared in 90 commercials for Asahi’s Wonda Coffee Morning Shot, breaking the previous record of 60 commercials.[290]

Most singles sold in Japan by a female artist — In May 2013, after the release of the group's 31st single ("Sayonara Crawl"), combined sales figures for AKB48 singles reached 21.852 million since its 2006 debut in 2006 (breaking Ayumi Hamasaki's previous record of 21.416 million).[291]

Highest Japanese sales of a female-group single — In June 2013 "Sayonara Crawl"'s sales reached 1,872,000 copies, breaking Speed's 1997 record for "White Love".[292] The single's total sales reached 1,955,800.[17]

Most consecutive million-selling singles sold in Japan — In October 2013 AKB48's 33rd single ("Heart Electric") sold 1,021,000 copies on its first day, becoming the group's 14th consecutive million-selling single and breaking the previous record of 13 held by B'z.[293]

Sister groups

AKB48 producer Yasushi Akimoto has created AKB48 sister groups based on the "idols you can meet" concept. Each sister group has a home theater in Japan or elsewhere in Asia, and releases its own singles; sister-group members also occasionally perform with AKB48.[128][295]Jurina Matsui and Miyuki Watanabe, members of AKB48 sister groups, have also been temporary members of AKB48.[126]

AKB48's first sister group, SKE48, was formed in 2008 with its theater in Sakae, Nagoya.[65][296]SDN48 ("Saturday Night"), NMB48[297] ("Namba") and HKT48[298] ("Hakata") were later formed. In 2011 AKB48's first sister group outside Japan, JKT48,[299] was announced; the group is based in Jakarta, Indonesia. JKT48 was followed by another overseas AKB48 sister group: SNH48,[300] based in Shanghai, China. In addition to the sister groups AKB48 has an "official rival", Nogizaka46.[301] The creation of a new sister group, NGT48, was announced on January 25 during the event AKB48 Request Hour Setlist Best 1035 2015 held at Tokyo Dome City Hall. The group NGT48 will be based in Niigata in the prefecture of the same name. The auditions to recruit new members will be held in March. The NGT48 Theater is in construction and will open on next October 1, 2015.[302]

↑On March 14, 2011, AKB48 canceled its concert Takamina ni tsuite ikimasu(たかみなについて行きます?, lit. "(We) will follow Takamina"), scheduled to be held on March 25–27 at Yokohama Arena, but later refashioned it into a charity event to support victims of the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami.

↑The assailant was revealed to be an unemployed man who had no previous interest or fan connection to AKB48. He was frustrated that such idols were well-paid. In December 2014, he pleaded guilty to charges of bodily injury and infringement of weapon regulations.

↑ 9.09.1Victoria Goldenberg (November 30, 2009). "(interview) AKB48: A classic fantasy for the 21st century". Purple Sky magazine. Retrieved June 2, 2012.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles> "Because the teams rotate performances, AKB48’s two theaters, four TV shows and four radio programs always have a group to fill them. Like if it’s Team A today, Team K and Team B will go next, so those two teams can be on TV or go to other places."